Arminianism -- False Doctrines of the "Pope" of Modern Pelagianism

Response to: Calvinism- False Doctrines of the "Pope" of Geneva ^ | August 13, 2003 | OP

[OrthodoxPresbyterian]

Arminianism -- False Doctrines of the "Pope" of Modern Pelagianism

Introduction: the Anti-Predestinarian Syllogism

In debates between Reformation Protestants and Arminian neo-Protestants, it is common for Arminians to invoke a peculiar and logically-fallacious syllogism in an effort to deflect attention from the evidentiary insurmountability of the Biblical Case for Reformation Protestantism. This syllogism is constructed in the form of a classic ad hominem Guilt-by-Association argument, according to the following general Form:

• Assertion 1: One of the principal advovates of Reformation Protestantism, John Calvin of Geneva, "murdered" one Michael Servetus on the charge of Blasphemy, etc.
• Assertion 2: John Calvin never Repented this "murder".
• Assertion 3: Ergo, John Calvin was not Christian; therefore his doctrines were not Christian; therefore his doctrines must be rejected.

Needless to say, it makes little impression upon the Arminian neo-Protestant that the Doctrines of Absolute Predestination were believed by Godly Christians for centuries before Calvin (i.e., 10th-15th Century Waldensian CredoBaptists, the 6th-9th Century Presbyters of Iona, the 4th-10th Century Ambrosian Catholics, Saint Augustine, the Apostles, Jesus Christ Himself, etc). What matters is the argumentative usefulness of being able to lay this charge to the particular account of John Calvin, and thus evade the theological defeat of the UnBiblical Arminian systematic heresy by re-framing the debate as a mud-throwing competition directed against one particular Reformer.

Now, before we proceed, we should observe: the Arminian neo-Protestant assertions against Calvin are not borne out by the Facts of History in the first place.

Uncomfortable Facts about Michael Servetus

Michael Servetus was:

A Criminal Foreign Insurrectionist,
Preaching that Trinitarians should be murderously liquidated as a Class,
Who was warned for weeks to leave Geneva, and refused,
Seeking the Overthrow of the Genevan Constitution,
In Conspiracy with Insurrectionist Elements within Geneva,
Towards a Re-Establishment of the sort of Anti-Trinitarian Reich,
Which had so bloodily and viciously terrorized Munster not long before.

In point of History, Michael Servetus was executed as a matter of State Punishment, as sentenced by the Civil Council of Geneva – which itself was controlled at the time by Calvin’s political enemies, the Libertines. In fact, as the Libertine Party itself rejected Calvin’s doctrine of Predestination, it is more historically accurate to say that Servetus was killed by the Anti-Predestinarian “protestants”, than to attribute the deed to Calvin (who at any rate pleaded for a more merciful execution “by the Sword”, rather than the slow burning-to-death on which the vicious Anti-Predestinarians insisted).

Be that as it may, however, it needs be asked – if it is appropriate for Arminian neo-Protestants to employ such a Syllogism against the Reformer John Calvin, is it not equally appropriate to measure by the same standard the heretical Schismatic who, perhaps more than any other single man, was fundamentally responsible for sundering the Godly unity of Reformation Protestantism into a thousand confused and competing sects – James Arminius? To that Question we now turn:

Arminius – his teachings on Politics, Religion, and the Sword of the State

The State is the Absolute Sovereign over all Natural and Spiritual affairs of Man:
The end of the institution of magistracy, is the good of the whole, and of each individual of which it is composed, both an animal [or natural] good, "that they may lead quiet and peaceable lives;" and a spiritual good, that they may live in this world, to God, and may in heaven enjoy that good, to the glory of God who is its author. For since man, according to his two-fold life, (that is, the animal and the spiritual,) stands in need of each kind of good, and is, by nature of the image of God, capable of both kinds; since two collateral powers cannot stand, and since animal good is directed to that which is spiritual, and animal life is subordinate to that which is spiritual, it is unlawful to divide those two benefits, and to separate their joint superintendence, either in reality or by the administration of the supreme authority; for, if the animal life and its good become the only objects of solicitude, such an administration is that of cattle. ~~ (Public Disputations, Disputation 25, “On Magistracy”, James Arminius)

All Authority under Heaven, concerning both Natural and Spiritual matters, is concentrated in the Absolute Power of the State


The chief magistrate is not correctly denominated political or secular, because those epithets are opposed to the ecclesiastical and spiritual power. In the hands and at the disposal of the chief magistrate is placed, under God, the supreme and sovereign power of caring and providing for his subjects, and of governing them, with respect to animal and spiritual life. ~~ (Certain Articles, Article 28, “On Magistracy”, James Arminius)

It is the sole and absolute duty of the State to enforce all Ten Commandments, and to enact all laws both civil and ecclesiastical, and to eradicate all Evil from society.


The matter, of which this administration consists, are the acts necessary to produce that end. These actions, we comprehend in the three following classes: The first is Legislation, under which we also comprise the care of the moral law, according to both tables, and the enacting of subordinate laws with respect to places, times and persons, by which laws, provision may be the better made for the observance of that immovable law, and the various societies, being restricted to certain relations, may be the more correctly governed; that is, ecclesiastical, civil, scholastic and domestic associations. The second contains the vocation to delegated offices or duties, and the oversight of all actions and things which are necessary to the whole society. The third is either the eradication of all evils out of the society, if they be internal, or the warding of them off, if they be external, even with war, if that be necessary, and the safety of society should require it. ~~ (Public Disputations, Disputation 25, “On Magistracy”, James Arminius)

All Authority over the Christian Church is concentrated in the Absolute Power of the State


The care of religion has been committed by God to the chief magistrate, more than to priests and to ecclesiastical persons. ~~ (Certain Articles, Article 28, “On Magistracy”, James Arminius)
Because this power is pre eminent, we assert that every soul is subject to it by divine right, whether he be a layman or a clergyman, a deacon, priest, or bishop, an archbishop, cardinal, or patriarch, or even the Roman pontiff himself; so that it is the duty of every one to obey the commands of the magistrate, to acknowledge his tribunal, to await the sentence, and to submit to the punishment which he may award. ~~ (Public Disputations, Disputation 25, “On Magistracy”, James Arminius)

The Utter Subjection of all Human life, whether natural or spiritual, to the Dictates of the Absolute State should be “terrified and compelled” by the Power of the Sword:


The form is the power itself, according to which these functions themselves are discharged, with an authority that is subject to God alone, and pre-eminently above whatever is human; for this inspires spirit and life, and gives efficacy to these functions. It is enunciated "power by right of the sword," by which the good may be defended, and the bad terrified, restrained and punished, and all men compelled to perform their prescribed duties. To this power, as supreme, belongs the authority of demanding, from those under subjection, tribute, custom, and other burdens. These resemble the sinews, by which the authority and power necessary for these functions, are held together and established. ~~ (Public Disputations, Disputation 25, “On Magistracy”, James Arminius)

Phew.... Thank God that America was founded primarily by convinced Calvinists, and not Arminians. Moving along, though, let us now apply the Arminian's Favorite Syllogism -- to Arminius himself.

Arminius at the Bar of the Arminian Syllogism:

• Fact 1: James Arminius, (in addition to being a proto-Stalinist) advocated Murder by the State over religious matters -- the same charge that Arminians lay to the account of John Calvin. (It may be objected that Arminius never actually murdered anyone. Neither did John Calvin, for that matter; but the fact remains that Arminius advocated State-Murder in his mind and heart -- and per Matthew 5, it's the thought that counts as much as the act).
• Fact 2: James Arminius never repented his advocacy of State-Murder; he went to his grave espousing the Absolute Power of the State to compel obedience by the Sword in all matters, natural and spiritual.
• Conclusion: Ergo, James Arminius was not Christian; therefore his doctrines were not Christian; therefore anyone who believes Arminian doctrines, believes Un-Christian Doctrines.

Hmmmm. Howzabout that.

[Corin Stormhands]

Surely you must know of some aspect of his teaching with which you disagree; of is his theology 'perfect'?

Well, of course as a Wesleyan, I disagree with some aspects of Calvin's teaching.

However, that was not the point of my post. Nor will I be drawn back into the debate.

[xzins]

Let's say something really outrageous like, "God's in control and prayer changes things!"

[Dr. Eckleburg]

"Every time I think you're out, they pull you back in." 8~)

[connectthedots]

CTD, this is a ludicrous statement. I disagree with Calvin on many points. I know of no Calvinist, including Calvin, who view his views as without error.

I was not referring to you (I've read your church's doctinal statement and found little with which to disagree), but one could hardly dispute the fact that there are those who accept everything Calvin says strictly on faith; i.e., if Calvin said it, it must be true.

Leave your hatred behind.

I don't hate Calvin or Calvinism. I simply think 'Total Depravity' and 'Unconditional Election' as propounded by many Calvinists is not Biblical. I have noted that Calvin was not at the Synod of Dort (he had been dead for many years when that meeting was conducted), so it would not be fair to credit/blame Calvin for its results. I have also stated that many Calvinists seem to have 'out Calvined' Calvin. How is recognizing that some Calvinists have misinterpreted or misconstrued some of Calvin's writing 'hatred'. If anything, it is offering a bit of a defense for Calvin the person and some of his writings.

While I may disagree with Calvin on predestination, and especially unconditional election, at least Calvin admitted that he was troubled by his conclusions concerning predestination as it applies to the eternal salvation or condemnation of individuals. It seems to me that Calvin was not so sure opf himself. How is this exprseeing a 'hatred' for Calvinism?

[Conservative til I die]

In debates between Reformation Protestants and Arminian neo-Protestants, it is common for Arminians to invoke a peculiar and logically-fallacious syllogism in an effort to deflect attention from the evidentiary insurmountability of the Biblical Case for Reformation Protestantism.

Huh? My head is still spinning.

[xzins]

I am one of the unfettered in terms of the world, but a bondservant of our Lord Jesus Christ.

No allegiance to either Calv/Arm camp BECAUSE I'm not satisfied with either answer at this point.

[xzins]

Besides, what about "God's in control and prayer changes things" is anything you'd disagree with? It was a humorous aside to Corin.

[connectthedots]

It's a good thing one doesn't have to accept or understand Calvinism, or Arminianism to be saved. If so, Heaven would be a fairly lonely place. The Gospel message is really pretty simple; so simple even a child can understand it.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

That's the truest thing you've said in this entire discussion.

A Calvinist would simply add that if one possesses a true and abiding faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior it is because God graced that person with the gift of faith.

All glory to God.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

I thought my "Godfather" reply was "humorous," too. It must be the sun. I'll do better.

The internet is so amazing. Every day I get lost in its vast accessability.

A wonderful site I came across this morning is...

http://www.bloomingtonrpchurch.org/refdocpre/index.html

Listed on the church's website is Boettner's "Reformed Doctrine of Predestination" broken down into chapters.

It makes for wonderful reading; very clarifying and edifying on a hot summer afternoon.

After all, what is there to do in New Jersey but wish you were back home?

[xzins]

right now i'm fast into trying to repair their computer. It shuts down on its own with a 60 second warning....and some blurb about rpc (remote procedure call)

I think it's the current worm.

I tried updating their AV software and it'll get near the end of installing and I get a "rolling back" indicator on the message bar and everything disappears.

Gosh, I wish I was a computer geek.

[Wrigley]

Well, take comfort in knowing you're just a regular geek.

[Corin Stormhands]

I think it's the current worm.

From your description, it sounds like it. I'm not geeky enough to tell you how to fix it tho.

Dr. E - if we're in agreement regarding New Jersey, can we really be that far off in our theology? ;-)

[connectthedots]

That's the truest thing you've said in this entire discussion.

I have been consistent about that statement throughout all these threads.

A Calvinist would simply add that if one possesses a true and abiding faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior it is because God graced that person with the gift of faith.

Why 'add'? I have a difficult time understanding that faith is a particular gift to certain individuals. The fact is everyone has faith. Much of our everyday activity would be difficult if not impossible without faith. If you didn't have faith that you would not get into an accident on your way to work, would you go? What about getting on an airplane; that certainly requires some faith that you will arrive safely at your destination, doesn't it?

It cannot be disputed that all men have faith. The question is, where and with whom do they do they place their trust.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Closer and closer, with the really touch questions settled. 8~)

[xzins]

I'd always wanted to be a Greek Expert.

Sounds like I'm only an "r" away! :>)

[Dr. Eckleburg]

The question is where and with whom do they place their trust.

And why.

Give a look to the site I posted to xzins a few posts back.

It's very informative.

[connectthedots]

Closer and closer, with the really touch questions settled. 8~)

Those touch questions are really tough.

[connectthedots]

Calvin, the brilliant and systematic theologian of the Reformation, put the matter thus: "Predestination we call the eternal decree of God, by which He has determined in Himself, what He would have to become of every individual of mankind. For they are not all created with a similar destiny; but eternal life is foreordained for some and eternal death for others. Every man, therefore, being created for one or the other of these ends, we say he is predestinated either to life or to death."

Not what I would call a characteristic of a loving and just God.

[Gamecock]

The Gospel message is really pretty simple; so simple even a child can understand it.

And all predestined unto life will accept it.....